Mead Creates Panel to Assess Marijuana in Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Governor Matt Mead is creating a council to gauge the effects of marijuana usage in the state ahead of a legalization initiative that could go before voters next year.

Mead announced Tuesday he's putting together a marijuana impact assessment council. He wants it to report to the public on effects of marijuana before the Legislature convenes early next year.

Activists this spring filed initial paperwork to start a petition process in Wyoming that could put a medical marijuana legalization measure before voters in the 2016 general election.

Mead is a former federal prosecutor and says he opposes marijuana legalization. He says Wyoming needs to assess the effect of the recent legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington and the legalization of medical marijuana in other states.